Theragāthā 6.1
Translators: sujato
Verses of the Senior Monks 6.1
Chakkanipāta
The Book of the Sixes
Paṭhamavagga
Chapter One
Uruveḷakassapattheragāthā
Uruveḷakassapa
“Disvāna pāṭihīrāni,
Seeing the demonstrations
gotamassa yasassino;
of the renowned Gotama
Na tāvāhaṁ paṇipatiṁ,
was not enough for me to bow to him—
issāmānena vañcito.
I was blinded by jealousy and conceit.
Mama saṅkappamaññāya,
Knowing my thoughts,
codesi narasārathi;
the trainer of men scolded me.
Tato me āsi saṁvego,
I was struck with a sense of urgency,
abbhuto lomahaṁsano.
so astonishing and hair-raising!
Pubbe jaṭilabhūtassa,
Rejecting the petty powers
yā me siddhi parittikā;
I had before as a matted-hair ascetic,
Tāhaṁ tadā nirākatvā,
I then went forth
pabbajiṁ jinasāsane.
in the victor’s instruction.
Pubbe yaññena santuṭṭho,
I used to be content with sacrifice,
kāmadhātupurakkhato;
the realm of sensual pleasures was my priority.
Pacchā rāgañca dosañca,
But later I eradicated desire,
mohañcāpi samūhaniṁ.
and hatred and also delusion.
Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,
I know my past lives;
dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ;
my clairvoyance is clarified;
Iddhimā paracittaññū,
I have psychic powers, and know the minds of others;
dibbasotañca pāpuṇiṁ.
I have attained clairaudience.
Yassa catthāya pabbajito,
I’ve attained the goal
agārasmānagāriyaṁ;
for the sake of which I went forth
So me attho anuppatto,
from the lay life to homelessness—
sabbasaṁyojanakkhayo”ti.
the ending of all fetters.
… Uruveḷakassapo thero ….